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The 2023 NHL Draft -- like the 2023 NBA Draft last week -- began with a selection that everybody expected.
The Chicago Blackhawks made Connor Bedard the #1 pick on Wednesday night to kick off the draft in Nashville -- the franchise's first #1 selection since Patrick Kane in 2007. Bedard, like Victor Wembanyama, was touted as the best prospect in the pool, and his destination was all but certain following the draft lottery in May.
Bedard: The 100-goal sniper
Bedard played as a center in junior hockey, and he could be shifted to the wing in the NHL. But one thing seems for sure -- Bedard will be a big-time goalscorer in pro hockey.
Between the world juniors, the Western Hockey League preseason, regular season, playoffs, and top prospect showcase, Bedard -- who turns 18 next month -- scored 100 goals in 83 games during his draft year. In competitive WHL play alone, Bedard scored 82 goals and recorded 163 points in 64 total games.
These are historic figures, all emblematic of why Bedard was universally considered the top player available in the 2023 draft.
How the top three shook out
After Bedard was off the board, the Anaheim Ducks selected skilled Swede Leo Carlsson with the second pick. Carlsson, a center, will join Mason McTavish and Trevor Zegras as part of Anaheim's exciting young core.
With the third pick, the Columbus Blue Jackets landed a potential top-line center in Adam Fantilli, who played college hockey at the University of Michigan.